Given the complexity of the supply base and product structure, as well as the dynamics of the changing technology and product life cycle, managing procurement in a supply chain is a daunting challenge. Although the Internet facilitates the procurement process, and great efficiency has been achieved, the biggest opportunity remains untouched. Discover how to make use of the immense information that is now available, and couple it with intelligent decisions and insights, resulting in the full power of new information technologies. Gain insight into these thoughts and see early glimpses of the promise that information offers.

Hau L. Lee is the Kleiner Perkins, Mayfield, Sequoia Capital Professor of the Department of Management Science and Engineering, and professor of operations, information, and technology in the Graduate School of Business at Stanford University. His areas of specialization include supply chain management, e-business, global logistics system design, inventory planning, and manufacturing strategy. He is the founding (and current) director of the Stanford Global Supply Chain Management Forum, an industry-academic consortium to advance the theory and practice of global supply chain management. He is a co-founder of NON-STOP Solutions, a company that provides demand chain optimization services to industry, and a co-founder of DemandTec, a company that provides pricing and promotion optimization services.

A remarkably wide-ranging, yet specific, review of world trouble spots and problems from an insider’s perspective, contrasted with emerging markets and promising global economic developments. Explore the challenges and opportunities presented by both for American organizations.

Robert M. Gates served as director of Central Intelligence from November 6, 1991, until January 29, 1993. He headed all foreign intelligence agencies of the United States and directed the CIA. Gates is the only career officer in the CIA’s history to rise from entry-level employee to director and the only intelligence analyst to become director. Gates joined the CIA in 1966 and spent nearly 27 years as an intelligence professional, serving six presidents. During that period, he spent nearly nine years at the National Security Council, the White House, serving four presidents of both political parties.

Rosanne Cahn manages her own consulting firm, eCAHNomics. Previously, she served as the chief economist at Credit Suisse First Boston Corporation, a prominent investment banking firm, where she was responsible for forecasting the U.S. economy. Cahn has more than 25 years’ experience as a Wall Street economist. Starting at C.J. Lawrence in the mid-1970s, she then worked for 10 years at Goldman Sachs & Co. She was at Credit Suisse First Boston for 14 years.

Cahn is frequently quoted and appears on CNBC, CNN, and other business programs. Her 1993 forecast was the most accurate of the 50 surveyed by BusinessWeek. She earned her bachelor's degree in chemistry from Wellesley College. While working full-time, she completed coursework and comprehensive exams for the Ph.D. at New York University, where she also received her MA.

As a fixed-income specialist, Scott F. Grannis manages over $90 billion in fixed-income assets for a variety of institutional investors, including taxable bond mutual funds for Legg Mason, Western’s parent company. Grannis is a member of Western’s Investment Strategy Committee and is responsible for developing the firm’s domestic and international outlook. He specializes in analysis of Federal Reserve policy and interest rate forecasting, and has spearheaded the firm’s research efforts into Treasury Inflation Protected Securities (TIPS).

Prior to joining Western in 1989, Grannis was senior economist at the Claremont Economics Institute, and principal at Leland O’Brien Rubinstein Associates. Grannis received his BA in philosophy from Pomona College, and his MBA from Claremont Graduate University.

Don’t miss this examination of the basic elements of a professional procurement organization. What does professionalism in procurement look like — what are the essential elements? How does such an organization function — how do these elements interact? How does a professional procurement organization define success? Find out how you measure up and how to help lead your organization to the top.

With more than 26 years of experience in the telecommunications industry, Maureen Merkle is responsible for the direction and supervision of the sourcing and contracting functions, and the establishment of the principles and methods under which strategic sourcing will operate for SBC enterprisewide. Her areas of responsibility include strategic data and network initiatives, and related acquisitions for SBC in the following subsidiaries: wireline, long distance, Internet, video, messaging, advanced services, national/local, network integration, wireless, and international.